newbie question

[younghunter12]

Whats the difference between an inline muzzleloder and a traitional muzzleloader? I know a traditional is either a flintlock or a percussion rifle. Thanks. Alec.

[Keith Lewis]

An inline has the primer path or nipple directly in line with the bore rather than off to the side like a "traditional" side hammer rifle. There actually were some early "traditional if you will" inlines way back when. The theory is that with the straight path the ignition is better. I'm not so sure that there is much difference. I have both and they both seem to shoot just fine. There is a lot of advertising that the "new inline designs" will shoot faster, further, more accurately and most is just advertising stuff. I have seen some really accurate old rifles. My solution to the problem is just buy several rifles of each type and shoot them to find out if there is anything that you have missed.

[Busta]

younghunter12,

An inline rifle has the nipple/flash hole that enters the bore (usually through a removable breech plug) in the center of the breech end of the barrel 'inline' with the bore. These can be of many different types: Plunger actions that strike a #11, musket cap or 209 primer. Break open, drop block, swing block designs like a single shot shotgun/rifle that use a 209 primer or small rifle primers loaded into small cartridge cases such as the .25 ACP for ignition. Bolt actions are another popular design that use a 209 primer or the rifle primers in a .25 ACP case for ignition. These are still considered percussion ignitions for the most part, but unlike the side hammer percussion and flintlock rifles that have a flash hole that enters the barrel usually at a 90 degree angle (thus 'not inline') to the bore of the barrel.

The inline rifles usually have a much faster twist rifling (1-20 to 1-28 ) than most 'traditional' rifles (1-48 to 1-70) and shoot either long heavy full bore conical bullets or the more popular light saboted pistol bullets.

Bottom line is they are all muzzleloaders and load from the muzzle, but most of the inlines use Black Powder Substitutes (Pyrodex, Triple Se7en, Pinnacle, American Pioneer, Black Mag'3) while most of the Traditional Guys prefer good ole Black Powder (Goex, Elephant, Swiss, etc.) in there sidelocks and flintlocks.

That is NOT everything you need to know, but should at least give you a basic idea.

[EDIT] I started to answer you and had to go do something else, came back and finished but kieth snuck in there in the meantime. :grin: